Chapter 2 – Attitudes and Abilities

If you look at a typical classifieds list, it’s evident that, when defining job roles, many organizations seem to place an overly significant emphasis on surface-level roles and responsibilities. For Scrum to succeed, it is imperative to take a different approach, delving deeper into the inherent and fundamental attitudes and abilities that are required of a Scrum team member.

The following three shortcuts will help you dig below the surface of these new roles to really appreciate what is required for a team member to excel.

Shortcut 4: Masterful ScrumMaster identifies seven key abilities that great ScrumMasters should possess. Shortcut 5: Rock Stars or Studio Musicians? focuses on a selection of attitudes that we should require of our team members. Finally, Shortcut 6: Picking Your Team Line-Up offers guidance on how best to assemble an effective working Scrum team.

Shortcut 4: Masterful ScrumMaster

Leading without Authority

Bring about Change without Fear

Be Diplomatic without Being Political

Behave Selflessly without Downplaying the Role

Protect without Being Overprotective

Maintain Technical Knowledge without Being an Expert

Be Comfortable Never Finishing

Next Generation Leadership

Shortcut 5: Rock Stars or Studio Musicians?

Rock Stars 22 Studio Musicians

Scrum Values

Time to Make Music

Shortcut 6: Picking Your Team Line-Up

Everyone Is a Developer!

Scrum Team Size

Development Team Ratios

Fractional Assignment

Can a ScrumMaster Work with Multiple Teams?

Attitude over Aptitude

Embrace Heterogeneity (But Beware)

Household Rules

All for One and One for All!

Wrap Up

The three shortcuts discussed in this chapter focus on a selection of tactics, tools, and tips to help you and your organization appreciate the underlying attitudes and abilities required for a team to perform efficiently—even exceptionally. Here’s a recap of what is covered:Shortcut 4: Masterful ScrumMaster

What it takes to be a genuine servant-leader

The key abilities required of a great ScrumMaster

The innate attitudes demonstrated by a true ScrumMaster

Shortcut 5: Rock Stars or Studio Musicians?

The potential issues with rockstar developers

Why we want our developers to think and behave more like studio musicians

A selection of values that should form your team’s professional personality

Shortcut 6: Picking Your Team Line-Up

Recommended development team size and specialist ratios

The problem with fractional assignment of work and how to manage it if required

Factors to consider when determining whether a ScrumMaster can work with more than one team

Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)

Certified Scrum Master (CSM)

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